NOTE: THE FORMS AVAILABLE IN THIS ARCHIVE ARE SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS OF USE AND ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY. LEGAL ADVICE OF ANY NATURE SHOULD BE SOUGHT FROM COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL IN THE RELEVANT JURISDICTION. THESE FORMS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS." NO WARRANTIES ARE MADE REGARDING THEIR SUITABILITY FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Ten Steps to Completing Your Last Will and Testament
- Destroy All Copies of Old Wills. If you have previously executed a
Will, physically destroy it. Even though our Wills technically "revoke" all
your prior wills, you should not rely on this language to revoke them.
- Download Our Free Will Template. Download our
Free Will
Template
for Microsoft Word. This template
contains two features essential to your Will. First, it provides for page
numbers in the proper format ("Page X of Y"). Second, it includes blank spaces on
each page on which you and your witnesses should each write your respective initials.
- Select the Appropriate Last Will Form. Find the Will form at the
ILRG Legal Forms Archive best suited
to your circumstances. Copy the text of the form into Microsoft Word or the word
processor of your choice. We recommend you "paste" the form into our free
Will template discussed in #2 above. (If you do not know how to copy the text on a computer screen into a word processor, please read the
ILRG Copy-and-Paste
Tutorial.)
- Enter Your Information and Delete Blank Lines. Enter your
information and bequests into the form where you see blank lines. Delete the
remainder of the blanks after you have input your information. (Your Will
should not resemble a form when you’re done.)
- Provide at Least Nominal Gifts to All Your Children.
Make certain that you leave at least something for your children (and your grandchildren, if any of your children are deceased), if you have any such descendants. If you leave
nothing for them, a judge could determine at a later date that
you forgot to do so, should one of them challenge your Will. It
is best to make your intentions clear and demonstrate that you did not forget
anyone. Even a gift of $1 to the child you "omit" will suffice.
Please note that we do not recommend that you leave a nominal gift to your spouse using our Wills.
In general, states require that the surviving spouse receive one-third to one-half of
the deceased spouse's estate. If you wish to leave less than half of your estate to your spouse, consult with an attorney.
- Review and Correct Errors. Review your answers carefully and
ensure they clearly and accurately reflect your intent. Spelling mistakes or typographical
errors are fine, provided that your intent is clear. If a mistake leaves any
doubt, correct the error and re-print the page. Do not use Liquid Paper or any
similar correction product under any circumstances.
- Choosing Appropriate Witnesses. All states require two witnesses,
with the exception of Vermont. However, it is strongly recommended that you
have three witnesses sign your Will in the event a witness dies or moves to
another state. Your spouse or children should not serve as witnesses. In
addition, your witnesses must be at least 18 years of age and should not be a
beneficiary to your Will. (A court could later disqualify this beneficiary
from his or her inheritance, and your Will is more vulnerable to challenge.)
- Choose an Appropriate Executor and Alternate Executor. Ideally,
these individuals should reside in the same state. It could potentially prove
very costly for your executor to travel back-and-forth to manage your estate.
In addition, some states require that out-of-state executors post a cash bond,
even if you have waived this requirement in your Will.
- Consider if a Notary and Self-Proving Affidavit are Best for You.
Notarizing your Will is unnecessary, unless you choose to complete a
Self-Proving Affidavit simultaneous with the signing of your Will. It is
strongly recommended that you complete the Self-Proving Affidavit, unless you live in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, or Vermont, where they are not permitted.
(In California, all wills are considered "self-proved" once they are properly signed and executed by the testator and all witnesses. In Louisiana, signing your Will in the presence of the witnesses before a notary public is required.) A Self-Proving Affidavit will make it
unnecessary for your witnesses to appear in court to affirm your Will’s validity after your death.
The Affidavit can potentially save your beneficiaries and witnesses considerable inconvenience.
It also gives your Will an extra layer of authentication that can help your beneficiaries avoid a long and costly probate process. (The
Affidavit is found at the footer of all Wills from our site only for those states that permit them.)
- Sign a Single Copy of the Will Together with All Witnesses, Distribute Unsigned
Copies, and Store Your Will. Witnesses must be
in your immediate presence and must observe your actual signing of the Will, and all the witnesses must observe the other witnesses signing the Will.
You do not need to read your
Will to them, and it is unnecessary for them to read it. However, they must
clearly understand that the document is your Last Will and Testament. You must
clearly explain to them that you intend the document to function as your Will
upon your death. If your state permits a Self-Proving Affidavit, and if you elect to
attach one to your Will
(recommended), remember that the same witnesses who observed your signing the
Will should also observe your signing the Self-Proving Affidavit. Have the notary
present at the signing of your Will, and then sign the Will and the Self-Proving
Affidavit at the same ceremony.
Remember, only prepare and complete one original Will. You should not
have more than one original or even photocopies of your signed Will.
Doing so can complicate matters if you wish to create a new will at a later
time, as it may prove difficult to track down all copies of your old Will.
Instead, consider providing your beneficiaries, executor, and alternate
executor each with an unsigned copy of you Will. Store your Will in a safe place, and let your executor and alternate executor know where they can find and access your original Will upon your death.
Estate Planning Forms
Estate Planning Guidance
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